Mathematical Inconsistencies in Einstein?s Algebraic Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation
Thomas Smid
Keywords: special relativity, Lorentz transformation
It is shown that Einstein?s ?simple? algebraic derivation of the Lorentz transformation in his 1920 book ?Relativity: The Special and General Theory? is indeed algebraically inconsistent. Einstein uses two sets of equations that each initially hold only for either a positive or negative value of x,x?, but then he suddenly assumes that both sets hold for positive as well as negative values. Only this sign error enables him to arrive at the Lorentz transformation. See my web page Mathematical Inconsistencies in Einstein?s Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation for more.
